Kelsi Reams will host her 8th Annual Hot Chocolate Sale to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Kelsi came up with the idea when she was seven years old. Her baby sister, Abby was diagnosed with CF the year before and she began asking questions about when Abby would not need therapy anymore. Her parents, Joe and Kathy explained that there was not a cure for CF and that Abby would need continual treatment until there was one. Kelsi replied that they should get some “cure” and give it to her. Her parents then explained that the limiting factor was money, that scientists were very close to developing a cure but that funds were needed to continue the research.
Kelsi’s first idea was to sell lemonade but was told she wouldn’t have many customers with it being winter so she decided to go with a hot chocolate sale. Joe and Kathy supported this idea and the rest is history. Kelsi’s cousins, aunts, uncles and friends have pitched in every year to help work the sale. Kelsi’s sisters Chloe, 9 and Abby, 8 are now on board and will be working the sale.
Abby gets numerous medications daily as well as chest percussion therapy 2-3 times a day to keep her lungs clear. She goes to Shands hospital every 4 months for a battery of tests to see how the disease is affecting her body and so far is doing extremely well.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetically inherited disease which causes the endochrine glands of the body to produce secretions that are drier than normal. This results in plugged airways in the lungs and leaves them susceptible to bacterial infection and progressively severe lung disease. It also interferes with digestion and requires pancreatic enzymes to be taken with meals and snacks.
The Hot Chocolate Sale will be this Saturday, Jan 29, from 8am – 2pm at Scott Realty in Greenville. If you are unable to attend but would like to send a donation please mail to 418 NW Sand Dollar Way; Greenville, Florida; 32331 and make checks payable to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
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